This month the Components Only and @ The Coalface $500 Community Gift goes to Ride4Lives, an organisation dedicated to suicide intervention, training and awareness.

Ride4Lives is a non-profit organisation established in 2017 to assist in creating awareness around suicide intervention training and bereavement support in the Central Queensland area.

Recognising the need for a safe and supportive place where people affected by mental health or suicide can come together, Ride4Lives aims to reduce the stigma that surrounds suicide by educating and empowering people in communities.

Ride4Lives President Mark Brookes said a big part of the work they do is connecting the community with training and service providers to support people who may be directly or indirectly affected by suicide.

“You don’t have to struggle in silence,” said Mark. “Healing takes time and asking for help is a courageous step.

​“Ride4Lives is all-inclusive; we’re a friendly bunch. Our committee members include people who have direct experience with suicide, including those who have attempted suicide and those bereaved by suicide. We also have members who may not necessarily have been affected but are passionate in the fight against the stigma that surrounds mental illness and suicide.”

Mark said it’s the voice of these people with lived experience that is essential in the development of raising awareness. Equally important is having access to resources, information and support from people who are experienced in offering advice and who understand firsthand the struggles others may be facing.

“We promote and fund suicide prevention training that teach everything from intervening and preventing suicide, to understanding suicide bereavement, to learning how to support skills,” he said.

The Ride4Lives committee are all volunteers and are passionate about organising Ride4Lives events, which includes their annual Suicide Awareness Ride. The event has been creating social connectedness, awareness and raising funds for suicide prevention training and continues to grow each year spreading their important message far and wide.